Mining and loading machine



April8'19 J. F. JOY

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 17 1916 2 SheetsSheet 1April s 1924.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JJ Z4 J. F. JOY

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE riginal Filed Oc u Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

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JOSEPH F. JOY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB'TO THE JEFFREYMANU- FACTUBING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A" CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE.

Application led October 17, 1916, Serial No. 126,150. Renewed March 18,1921i Serial No. 453,477.

To allwkomz'tma concern:

Be it known that I, JosErH F. JOY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and the State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMining and Loading Machines, of which the following is a. specification,reference being new and useful yimprovements in mining had therein tothe accompanying drawing. The present invention relates to certainmachines 'of the class which is adapted to form a Ykerf in the coal bodyto facilitate breaking the coal from its natural bed, and after the coalis broken-down, to gather the broken coal into cars for transportationfrom the mine. Y

The es ia-l object of the invention is to provi e an improved arranement "of parts .comprising cutting mechanism adapted to first form akerf at .the base of the coal body, and after the coal is broken down byany preferred means, such as by blasting, to gather the broken fragmentsfrom the fioor of the mine to a suitably disposed K conveyor to beloaded into conveniently placed cars for transport fromthe mine. Thedevices by which Iy lattain this object 'Y are fully set forth in thefollowing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings ofwhich- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of myinvention, certain parts .being broken away to reveal other parts.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig.'3 isa section taken along the line .3 3 of Fig. 1'.

Figs. 4. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are diagrammatic figures showing the methods ofoperation of the machine.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures. 'I

- As shown 1n the drawing the numeral l indicates the main`frame castingupon which the several operative parts ofthe machine are Supported;vThis main frame casting is shape to form a sole plate 2 adapted to restupon and slide over the door ofthe mine. Centrally positioned in themalin frame 1, and extending longitudinally thereof, is the conveyor 3by which the coal 'is transferred to conveniently placed cars at therear of the machine lfor tra-nsportat-ion from the mine. 'Formed at theforward part of the main frame l, onel parts are alike, a description ofone appliesto both. Formed in the housing casting is a hub 6 having acentral aperture 7 in which is. journaled the vertical shaft 8. To thelower end of the shaftB is secured a sprocket wheel 9 which engages thecutter chain 10 to drive it.A The cutter chain 10 is of'well knownconstruction, adapted to travel along the edges of the cutter arm 5, andis provided with renewable cutter bits 411 which are so dis travelsrearwardly along the outer edge of the cutter arm. Attached to the shaft8, abo-ve the journal bearing 7 is a worm gear ed that their cuttingedges are I presented to cut the coal Aas the. chain 10 12 which isengaged by the worm 13 formed .integral with the worm-shaft 14horizontally mounted in bearings 15 of the housing 4. A, cover plate 16attached to the housing casting ltencloses the worm Iand worm wheel andin this plate is formed a journal bearing 17 which affords additionalsupport for the vertical shaft 8. The cutter arm 5' is ofwel] knownconstruction and is .attached by suitablebolts 18 lto yoke casting 19inzwhich is formeda journal bearing 20 rotatably mounted upon the outersurface of the hub 6. On the yoke 19 Ais formed a circular i-ange 21,150which is secureda bearingv ring 22, concentric with the shaft -8. Th1sbearing rin-g 22 engages the upper surface of a circular iange 23 of thehousing casting to support the cutter arm 5 for ,free rotation about theshaft -8. The outer edges of the bearing vring 22 and ange 21 adapted toengage the feed rope '25 as will` later appear. Formed on the housingcasting is a lug 26 pierced vertically by an aperture 27 through whichthe pin 28 is adapted to be thrust to engage a registering aperture 29in the yoke 19 to lock the cutter arm 5 against rotation. A projection`30 1s vformed en the yoke casting 19 to which 0B are shaped 'to form aAg'rooved sheave 24 At each end of the shaft 34 is fixed a bevel gear36, in engagement with a similar gear 37 attached to the shafts38extending longi-l tudinally of the machine. At one end each shaft 38is supported in a bearing 39 of the main frame, and at the other end inbearings 40 of the housing castings 4. The shafts 38 are adapted to beconnected, through Vsuitable clutch vmechanism inside the housings 4,and controlled by thelevers 41, with the worm shafts 14'to drive the,cutter chains 10. Y

Bodily movement of the machine relative to the coal face, and alsorotation of the cutter arms 5, is ali'ected by means of -the feed .ropes25 which are connected to the winding drums 43 to be -wound thereon. Thedrums 43 are suitably mounted upon the mam frame and are actuated byratchet mechanisms 44 connected by the rods 45 to scription is notthought to benecessary at the eccentrics 46 on the power shaft`34.- Assuch winding mechanism is well known in the art, and as its constructionforms no part of the present invention, detailed dev this time.

, through The conveyor 3 is of the well known chain and scraper type andcomprises a forward horizontal receivingl section resting di-V rectlyupon the sole. plate 2 and extending below the lower boundary planes ofthe cutter bits 11, a middle upwardly inclined section, and a horizontaldelivery section extending 'rearwardlyI of thel machine, be-

neath which the car 47 maybe placed to receive the coal as it falls fromthe end of the conveyor. The conveyor consists of an elongated trough 48composedvof suitable plates and angles, along which travels two endlesschains 49 joined together at spaced intervals by the scraper crossbars50 in a manner common in conveyonpractice. As the construction of `thisconveyor forms no part of the prsent invention'further *ile-Vscriptionj. is not thought tobe required at this time. vMounted inbearings supportedby the conveyor structure, is a drivingshaft 51 havingsprocket Wheels 5 2 which engage the return strandY ofthe'conveyorclmins 49 to drive the conveyor.` A sprocket wheel 53attached to the shaft 51 isv connected a suitable chain V54 withasimilar rocket Wheel 55 A:mounted on the powe Ahaft 34 to drivetheconveyor. l A

At the beginning of each cycle of operation the machine lies along thecenter line of the mine room with the cutter arms extending forward,their ends in'close prox imity to each other and to the coal face, andlocked against rotation by the pins 28. The feed ropes 25 are drawn outvfrom the drums 43 and attached to suitable anchors 56 placed in advanceof the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The motor isstarted in adirection to cause the cutter chains 10 to travel forwardly along theinner edges and rearwardly along the outer edges of the cutter arms."When the drums 43 are actuated to Wind the ropes 25 the machine movesforward and the cutter bits engage the coal to out it, forming theentering, or sumping, cut, as shown in Fig.' 5. lVhen the machine isfully sumped the feed ropes are disconnected from the anchors 56, passedY around the outer sides of the sheaves 24 and attached totheprojections 30 of the cutter arm yokes, and the pins 28 are removed.When now the ropes 25 are Wound the cutter' arms 5 will rotatedivergently to undercut the coal, finishing the operation as shown in 6.The motor is then stopped, and the coal is broken down in any preferredmanner, as by blasting. -The feed ropes 25 are then changed to the-innersides of the sheaves 24 and again attachedV to the projections 30of the cutter arm yokes. The motor is then reversed so as to drive thecutter chains forwardly along the outer edges, and rearwardly along theinner edges of the cutter arms 5, the cuttingcdgesof the bits 11trailing against the coal. The

feed mechanisms 44 are then manipulated to wind the ropes 25, rotatingthe cutter arms 5 eonvergently, as illustrated in Flg. 7.

The cutter chains i0 andv the bits 11 engage` the broken coal and dragit onto the conveyor 3 to be carried rearwardly and de. posited in thecar 47. As the cutting edges of the bits 11 point inthe oppositedirection to the travel of the chains, they do not take hold of thecoal, but tend rather to slip over such fragments as are too firmlyembedded in the mass to be easily moved. This action tends to loosen upthe coal 4Without-the unnecessary produetion of slack. As the bits passaround the sprocket wheels 9 they readily Y v release themselves fromthe coal and' tend to push it over'on to the conveyor. The coal isthusgathered from the iloor formed by the cutting bits and transferredto `the conveyor, the feeding mechanism meantime being manipulated toaccelerate or retard the rate of rotation of the cutter arms as occasionma require.

When't cutter arms V5 have reached the central, or position, and all ofthe broken coal has been loaded, the machine will be lifted bodily byany preferred means,

such as by heks, suitable blocks 57 on, a cutter arm pivotally mountedupon' said base frame for rotation in a horizontal plane and havingcutter elements adapted when said arm is rotated in one direction to cuta kerf in the coal `body andwhen it l1s rotated in the reverse directionto gather broken coal upon said conveyer. 2. In a mining apparatus, thecombination w1th a base frame, of a conveyer therel.o'n,-. a cutter armpivotally mounted upon said base framevvfor rotation in a horizontalplane and a' cutter chain upon the cutter arm adapted to travel in onedirection to cut a kerf in the vcoal body and in the reverse directionto said conveyer.

3. In a mining apparatus, the combina- 'tion with a main frame, of aconveyer thereon, a cutter arm pivotally mounted upon the main frame forrotation in a horizontal plane anda cutter chain on the cutter armadapted to travel inone direction 'to cut a kerf inthe coal body whenthe cutter arm is rotated in one direction and to travel in the reversedirection to-gather broken coal gather broken coal upon onto saidconveyer when said cutter arm is rotated in the other direction.

4. VIn a mining apparatus, the combination With a'main frame, a conveyerthereon,

a cutter arm pivotally mounted upon the main frame for rotation in ahorizontal plane, a cutter chain onl the cutter arm; adapted to travelin one direction to.- cut a lrerf in the coal body whenv the cutter arm'`1s rotated in one direction and to travel -in the lreverse direction togather broken coal upon said conveyer -when the cutter arm 1s rotated inthe otherdirection, and means Ato rotate the cutter arm in'eitherdirection.'

5. In a munng apparatus, the comblnawith a main frame, of-a conveyertheretion on, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on the main frame forrotation in aV horizontal plane, `a cutter chainupon the cutter armhaving cutter bits inclined to the direction of the cutter chain andadapted to travel in one direction to cut a kerf in the coalbody and-totravel in the reversefdi-rection to gather broken coal upon thesaidconveyer.

6. In a mining apparatus, the combination with -a main frame, ofl aconveyer thereon, a cutter 'arm pivotally mounted upon the mainframe forrotation in a horizontalY plane, a cutter chain upon the cutter armlhavingcutter bits inclinedA in thedirection of the cutter chai-n andadaptedI to travel in one direction to cut a kerf in a coal body whenthecutter arm isfrotated lin one directionv and to -travel inthe reversedirection' to gather broken coal upon the said conveyer when thecutter'arm is vrotated in the other direction.

7. In a mining apparatus, the combination with a main frame, ofaconveyer thereon, a cutter arm pivotally mounted upon the main frame forrotation in a horizontal plane, a cutter chain upon the cutter armhavingcutter bits inclined in the direction.

of the cutter chain and adapted to travel -in one direction to cut akerf fin the coal body whenthe cutter arm is rotated in one directionand to travel in the reverse direction to gather broken coal onto saidconveyer when the cutter arm is rotated in the reverse direction, andmeans to rotate the cutter arm in either direction.

8. In a mining apparatus, the combina-- tion with a main frame, of aconveyer thereon, of two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon the mainframe for rotation in the same horizontal plane and adapted when rotatedin vone direction to cut a kerf in the coal .body and when rotated inthe other direction to gather broken coal onto the said conveyer.

9.. In a mining apparatus, the combina-- tion with a main frame, of vaconveyer thereon, .of two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon the mainframe .for rotation in the same horizontal plane and adapted whenrotated divergently to cut a kerf in th coal body and when rotatedconvergently to gather broken coal upon said conveyer.

10. In a mining apparatus, 'the combination with a main frame of aconveyerthereon, of two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon the main-frame for rotation in the same horizontal plane, cutter chains on thecutter arms adapted to travel incone direction to cut a kerf in the coalbody and in .the reverse direction to gather broken coal onto saidconveyer.

11. In a mining apparatus, 'the combina-' tion with a mainl frame, of aconveyer thereon, two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon the main framefor rotation in the same horizontal plane, cutter cha-ins on the tion toout a'kerf inthe coal body when the cutter arms are rotated divergentlyand to vcutter arms adapted to travel `in one direc.

travel in the 'reverse direction to gather v cut a kerf in the coalibody when the cutter arms are rotated divergently and to travel 1nthereverse direction "to gather coal onto I c the said conveyer when thecutter arms are rotated convergently.

13. In a mining apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of aconveyer'thereon, two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon said main framefor rotation in the same horizontal plane, cutter chains on the cutterarms having cutter bits inclined to the direction ofthe chains andadapted to travel in one direction to cut a kerf in the coal body and inthe reverse direction to gather broken coal onto said conveyer.

14. In a mining apparatus, thecombination with a main frame, of aconveyer thereon, two cutter arms pivotally mounted upon the main framefor rotation in the same horizontal plane, cutter chains on the cutterarms having cutter bits inclined to the direction of the chains andadapted to'travel in one direction to cut a kerf in the coal body whenthe cutter arms are yrotated divergently and to travel in the reversedirection to gather coal onto said conveyer when the cutter arms arerotated convergently.

15. In a mining apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of aconveyer thereon, two cutter arms-pivotally mounted upon the main framefor rotation in the same horizontal lane and cutter chains on the cutterarmslhaving cutter bits inclined in the direction of the cutter chainsandadapted to travel in one direction to cut a kerf in the coal bodywhen the cutter arms are rotated divergently and to travel in thereverse di rection to gather broken coal onto said conveyer when thecutter arms are rotated convergently, and means to rotate the cutterarms in either direction.

16. In a mining apparatus, the combination of the main frame, theelevatin conveyor thereon positioned in the centra vertical,longitudinal planes thereof, the two vertical shafts mounted on theframe at the sides of the conveyor, the sprocket wheels on the shafts,respectively, the forwardly projecting arms mounted to rotate around theaxes ofsaid shafts, the forwardly extending chains supported on the armsand engaging with said wheels, and means for driving 1n' common theconveyor and the chains substantially as set forth.

17. In a mining apparatus, the combination of the main frame, theelevating conveyor thereon positioned in the central longitudinal planesthereof and havin a relatively low receiving section at the oor and arelatively high delivery section, thetwo ,forwardly projecting arms swin'ng around vertical axes in a transverse p ane behind that of the frontend ofthe conveyor, and the endless chains supported on said arms andarra to bring material to the conveyor whi e they are positivelyconnected therewith.

.menace 18. In a mining apparatus, the combination of the main frame,the conveyor thereon positioned in the central, vertical longitudinalplanes thereof, the two horizontally swinging arms respectively mountedon verengaging elements adapted to travel along substantially horizontalnon-circular orbital paths converging towards the forward end of saidconveyor and ada ted to engage the coal which is to be loade and. moveit onto said conveyor. l

20. In a coalrloading machine, the combination with two substantiallyhorizontalrotary driving elements, of an elongated conveyor comprisingan endless material moving element the forwardly and rearwardly movingparts of which travel in the same vertical planes and having its forwardend 4in a transverse vertical. plane in advance of that of the axes ofthe driving elements, two coal engaging devices for moving loose coal tothe forward end of the conveyor respectively actuated by said drivingelement and traveling on 'lines converging towards the central verticallongitudinal plane of said conveyor and having orbits or paths of travelin a plane relatively above the plane of the conveyor. Y

21. In a coal loading machine, the combination with an elongatedconveyor, of gathering mechanismcomprising two co-operating oppositelvmoving coal engaging elements adapted to travel in substantiallyhorizontal non-circular converging orbital paths to engage the" coalwhich is'to be loaded and move it onto said conveyor.

22. In a coal loading machine, the combination .with an elongatedconveyor, of gathering mechanism comprising two cooperating oppositelymoving coal enga ing elements adapted to travel in substantiallyhorizontal non-circularv converging orbital paths, and meansto bodilymove said gathering mechanism relative to the coal whichy is to beloaded to cause said coal engaging elements to engage said coal to moveit onby a substantially horizontal movement for operating upon a pile ofmaterial that/is positioned between said devices' and to delivermatorial from said pile dlrectlyinvwardly from said `pi1e towards the ysace In testimony whereof I aix my signature, bletween the :axes of saiddevices, ai;1 an in the presence of two witnesses.

e evatng conveyer structure having t e receiving end located so as toreceive 4such mal 'JOSEPH F JOY' I terial from between -said axes,whereby said Witnesses:

' fpile serves to position said devices without E. P. SNIvEnY,

other positioning mea-ns. DUDLEY T. FISHER.

